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An Bord Pleanála grants Edenderry power plant approval for continued operations

Bioenergy International

Heat & Power

December 23, 2016

An Bord Pleanála, the Irish national planning authority has granted Bord na Móna approval for continued operation of its 128 MWe peat- and biomass-fired Edenderry power station.

Bord na Móna began co-firing with biomass at its 128 MWe peat-fired Edenderry Power Station in 2008. Volumes have increased year-on-year and in 2015 reached a record 320 000 tonnes or ≈ 30 percent co-firing.

In a statement Irish power utility Bord na Móna welcomes the decision by An Bord Pleanála, the Irish national planning authority to grant approval for the continued operation of the Edenderry power plant in Edenderry, Co. Offaly. Edenderry Power Ltd (EPL), a subsidiary of Bord na Móna, operates the 128 MWe peat- and biomass-fired power station, the largest single source of dispatchable renewable power on the island of Ireland.

Over fifty percent of the electricity generated by Bord na Móna is currently derived from renewable sources including wind and landfill gas. The company’s objective in this area is to increase renewable energy production and develop new renewable energy assets.

In 2015 Bord na Móna announced a new strategy stating that it would completely cease production of peat for electricity generation by 2030. This strategy will enable the company to maintain its significant employment profile in the region as it transitions to a business that is both environmentally and financially sustainable

– I welcome the decision of An Bord Pleanála, which represents the culmination of a lengthy independent process. Edenderry Power is a valuable national asset from the perspective of national energy security, sustainability and regional employment. This decision provides the mechanism for the transition from peat generated energy to green energy. The success of Edenderry Power is essential for Irish energy sustainability plans, said Denis Naughten T.D., Minister for Communications, Climate Action and Environment in a statement.